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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
‘Vindication of law': Relief as Delhi HC quashes charges against 70 in Tablighi Jamaat Covid case
A narrow lane towards the dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya first leads to a tall nondescript white building before twisting towards the tomb of the famous Sufi saint. On Thursday evening, as scores of tourists and visitors flocked to the dargah for its famous Qawwali performance, a smaller, more somber group of men assembled in front of the tall white building, awaiting the time for the evening prayers. This is the Nizamuddin Markaz, also known as the Banglewali Masjid Markaz. Five years ago, the building was at the centre of a storm after the Tablighi Jamaat was accused of spreading Covid by organising an international congregation in Delhi. On Thursday, the Delhi High Court quashed charges in 16 FIRs and chargesheets filed in related cases involving 70 Indian citizens. The atmosphere at the Markaz remained almost nonchalant after the verdict. 'We are God's people. We don't bother with what happens on this earthly plane, we only care about what happens before life and after death,' said one person who wished to remain unidentified. In March 2020, a series of gatherings had been organised at the Markaz by the Jamaat. Over 3,000-odd people gathered at the mosque for the month-long events, with people coming from across the country and the world. However, on March 13, the Delhi government passed an order saying that gatherings of over 200 people for sports events, conferences and seminars will not be allowed due to the growing fears of the Covid-19 pandemic. By then, hundreds of people had already reached the Markaz and were accommodated inside. By the time the Janata Curfew was declared on March 22, the Markaz was in utter chaos over where to move the hundreds of people stuck inside. However, a day prior to the Janata Curfew being declared, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had already drawn up a list of 800 foreigners associated with Tablighi activities across the country. According to the MHA, it had received information of a Tablighi-associated Covid patient in Telangana by March 18. What followed was a rush to track all those who had congregated at Nizamuddin and spread out into the country. Medical screening of those at the Markaz started only on March 26, after the death of a Tablighi-associated Covid patient in Telangana. When the Delhi government eventually released its Covid health bulletin, it made a separate section indicating how many participants of the Tablighi gathering had tested positive. By March 30, the then Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had ordered an FIR against the organisers. The 70 named as accused across 16 FIRs were charged primarily under sections of the IPC, including criminal conspiracy, for allegedly accommodating foreign nationals in mosques and their homes during the pandemic from March 24-30, 2020. The FIRs had also listed 195 foreign nationals but they were not named as accused in most chargesheets — the magistrate court did not take cognizance of the remaining chargesheets on the principle of double jeopardy. Fuzail Ayyubi, who represented 44 attendants of the Tablighi in the Supreme Court, said, 'When amidst a pandemic that no one understood, an entire body of individuals was criminalised as being 'super-spreaders' and prosecuted criminally, we were able to see through the facade and know that no criminality could be attached at all. Today's judgment is a vindication of that belief in law and courts' adjudicatory role…'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Salman Khan reveals his role in Battle of Galwan is physically demanding: 'In Sikandar, the action was different'
Salman Khan is gearing up for the release of his next movie, 'Battle of Galwan'. The film, directed by Apoorva Lakhia , revolves around the fierce 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese forces in Ladakh's Galwan Valley. Salman recently shared how physically demanding his character is in the movie. Salman Khan talks about his role in Battle of Galwan 'It is physically demanding. Every year, every month, every day it gets more and more difficult. I have to give more time now. Earlier, I would manage it in one or two weeks, but now I'm running, kicking, punching, and doing all that stuff. This film demands that. For instance, in Sikandar, the action was different, the character was different. But this is physically difficult—especially shooting in Ladakh, at high altitudes and in cold water,' he told PTI. Salman admitted he was initially excited about the concept but acknowledged the tough conditions ahead. 'I have 20 days in Ladakh and then seven to eight days in cold water. We will be shooting this month,' he added. Salman is known for bringing his films to the big screen during Eid, but this time he admitted that Battle of Galwan will grace theatres in January. Priyanka Chopra Jonas joins India's Janata Curfew 'in spirit' from LA; Mini Mathur calls FIR against singer Kanika Kapoor a 'witch-hunt', and more... Khan also confirmed that a follow-up to his 2015 blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan is currently in development. Salman Khan's recent release Sikandar Salman Khan's last film, Sikandar, which hit theatres during Eid (30 March), did not perform well at the box office. The movie, directed by AR Murugadoss, had created a lot of buzz prior to its release, but it failed to resonate with his fans afterwards. The film also starred Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Sathyaraj, Jatin Sarna, Sanjay Kapoor, Prateik Babbar, and Kishore in key roles.
